A Code of Conduct relevant to cyberspace is scheduled to be issued this year in an effort to protect internet users, especially youngsters, from harmful content, according to Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung take the floor
on November 9 to answer National Assembly deputies' questions regarding
the protection of internet users, especially children, from harmful content on
the internet.

The Code of Conduct will require users and internet service providers to comply with Vietnamese law and respect the legitimate rights and interests of various organisations and individuals, including children, Minister Hung told the ongoing year-end session of the National Assembly during a hearing on November 9.

“We require social media users and service providers with guidance to educate children and teenagers on the use of social networks in a safe and healthy manner,” said Minister Hung.

The Minister outlined that his ministry had submitted the Code of Conduct for cyberspace to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in April, with the PM initially agreeing to the proposal in principle but requesting that the Ministry make further considerations regarding its potential implementation.

This week will therefore see the ministry propose that the Code of Conduct for cyberspace should be issued later this year, Hung said.

In addition, Minister Hung stated that his ministry has been assigned by PM Phuc to develop a project aimed at protecting and supporting children to enjoy creative and healthy interactions while surfing the Internet during the 2020 to 2022 period.

As part of the project, the ministry proposed setting up a single agency to receive feedback on content related to child abuse, applying artificial intelligence and analysing data in order to remove abuse-related child content from the Internet.

Moreover, the ministry will also strive to equip children with a set of basic digital skills, including awareness education about the online network environment, along with skills to identify risks and protect themselves from harmful content online, stressed Minister Hung.

At present, the project has been submitted to the Government to undergo a period of consideration, although it is expected to be issued this year, the Minister noted.

During the National Assembly hearing, Minister Hung also answered questions from deputies, providing detail about the national digital transformation project which has already been granted approval by the PM.

According to the minister, his ministry is expanding 3G and 4G coverage services in remote and far-flung areas as a means of universalising internet connections. Furthermore, Hung revealed PM Phuc is set to approve a pilot scheme relating to mobile money that will enable people to make transactions without a bank account.

Meanwhile, a number of local internet service providers and mobile phone manufacturers have teamed up to offer smartphones priced from VND600,000 to VND700,000 per unit in order to help support digital conversion.

Digital conversion will be widely applied in healthcare services and e-commerce transactions, Minister Hung stated.